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Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Psalm 77:19,20 “Your path led through the sea, your way through the waters, though your footprints were not seen. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.”

Everything written in the Old Testament is to instruct us as stated in Romans 15:4 “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us so that in the endurance and encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.”

As we continue studying Abraham’s life there are three major factors in Psalm 77:19, 20 that we will focus on. It is worth noting that we, as God’s children, experience each of these in spiritual growth. (1) The divine purpose of God governs everything. (2) The divine wisdom of God is working with one objective in mind. (3) God cares for his children.

To enter into the life of the Psalmist, read the entire Psalm. God has chosen you for this time. Focus on God’s care as we continue this journey into the fullness of Christ, our inheritance.

God uses Abraham in the Old Testament as an example to show us how He deals with our human nature, which includes our passions, likes, dislikes, interests and relationships. When God told Abraham to leave his country he was fearful of the criticism that would come to him when his family, friends and neighbors asked him, “Where are you going?” and he did not have an answer. But he knew God had spoken to him. Knowing is vital. God was calling Abraham out of all the relationships that would hinder him from entering into the fullness of Christ. We need to understand this as we see change coming to the world. Don’t be troubled but know that God wants to reveal Himself to you and through you. When we know this, it’s easier to submit to His divine guidance. God’s purpose will govern the actions of the vessel He has chosen. Notice that God includes the fears, questions, and failures of Abraham in the scriptures. He includes them so we can realize that the people God uses are just like us. When God speaks to Abraham, the word takes hold of him and he takes hold of the word. Now his walk in the supernatural power of the word begins. Genesis 12:5-9 tells us that Abraham left Haran and arrived in Canaan moving through the country, God guiding them as they went. Famine struck the land and Abraham took matters into his own hands and ‘went down’ to Egypt to escape the famine in Canaan. Don’t you think God knew a famine would occur in the land? Don’t you think God knew Abraham would reason within himself and not seek the counsel of the Lord, but receive worldly counsel? Many of us do the same thing when we are confronted with adverse circumstances. The manifestation of God’s promise seems late so we take matters into our own hands. Flesh touches the promise of God and we are held back from our inheritance. Another example: Abraham in anguish about the son God promised took matters into his own hands. Abraham’s decision is still reaping consequences to this day. God is showing us what He demands of His children; trust, confidence and faith in Him and what He says. God’s word stands ready. He spoke it and it will come to pass! God wants us to understand what He’s doing with us; He’s stripping away all that is flesh. Remember we are a heavenly people; we have been born again from above. The Lord has to strip away the things that hold us back from gaining Christ. Hindrances come from the world around us and also from within ourselves.

Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead is a good example of God stripping away earthly things. Lazarus was sick; but notice how God allowed the sickness to happen so that His son Jesus Christ would be glorified. The Lord allows time to elapse and Lazarus dies and is buried in the tomb. Divine knowledge understands the will of God and why He permits things to happen; things such as pressure, antagonism, and persecution. Something is taking place in us as He is stripping away all things that are not inherent of the fullness of Christ. He arrives at the tomb and says in John 11:43, “…Lazarus, come forth!” Lazarus comes out and the power of the word speaking to death calls forth a new life. The moment he comes into a new life something takes place. The grave clothes had to be removed so they would not obstruct his walk or vision. God will always bring us to a point where we are confronted with death to self so we may walk in newness of life. The same stripping away of old things happened to Abraham when he was told to leave his country, family and friends. Romans 15:4, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” The answer to our particular situation is always found in scripture.

The verse in Psalms 77:1-2 is an example of rising above adverse situations, “I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands and my soul refused to be comforted.” The Psalmist was in distress but he overcame his distress by recalling the mighty hand of God towards the Israelites crossing the Red Sea. Remember the promise given to Abraham in Genesis 12:2, "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.” Can you see God’s Word governing the Psalmist as he recalls God’s deeds in delivering Israel and applying it to his own circumstance? The conclusion in verse 13 reads, “Your ways, oh God, are Holy. What god is so great as our God?” He was living off the promise of God. When we go through moments of perplexity and distress, we will also overcome by remembering God’s promise. When Jesus was led into the desert to be tempted of satan, He said in Matthew 4:14, “It is written that man shall not live, exist, by bread alone.” In other words, man will truly exist, be moved, and have his being by every word that comes forth out of the mouth of God. The living word of God is the key to our existence.

The living Word of God is the key to our existence.

Imagine the feeling of hopelessness in the millions of Israelites facing the red sea and the chariots of Pharaoh? Your ways were hidden from the natural man. The divine purpose of God was working in the midst of the storm as a nation was being born even in their terror and fear. Paul says, "These things were written for our instruction to understand the ways of God." God wants to bring us to the place where there is no salvation in our natural abilities, nor salvation in any government or institution under the control of satan. Changes are quickly happening on this earth and the church is in for a shock when the onslaught of hatred towards her is released. However never forget Exodus 1:12, “But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread.”

Listen to the cries for liberty and freedom from the youth throughout the nations. Can you hear the souls that want to be liberated from the curse of death? The Body of Christ is “a Holy nation” I Peter 2:9, a nation that has been set in the midst of the nations to fulfill the promise of God. God told Abraham, “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you. I will make your name great and you will be a blessing.” This is God’s perfect will.

I’ve been to Haiti and Cuba where I’ve talked with those who are being persecuted and I’ve read the testimonies of those in Indonesia and other places who have been persecuted for the Testimony of Jesus. This is where I see the faith of the Son of God manifested in the midst of cruel circumstances. This is true trust in Christ and not trusting in anything of this world. Regardless of how promising the government aid is, we must know our position as new creatures created in Christ Jesus. We will come into the fullness of Christ, by being inside of Christ not outside. We are witnessing the reality of God’s wisdom and His methods in birthing a nation the same way He birthed Israel as He separated the Red Sea and guided them through a type of death and resurrection on the other side.

Nations are crying out wanting to know truth. Jesus said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be witnesses.” A witness brings forth evidence, he is a proof producer. God will use you in your home, city and throughout the earth. He is raising up a people in every nation who know Him, the one true God. We are one in Christ washed by the blood of Christ. There is confidence and hope when you see the evidence of the power of God, the purpose of God, the wisdom of God, and the love of God in the scriptures. Our position must be established in His word and His word must be established in us as He governs our walk.

Remember Christ’s words in John 17:16, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.” Don’t look to the world for your existence.

Let's reread Psalms 77:19-20, "Your path led through the sea, your way through the waters, though your footprints were not seen." Remember the three major factors mentioned earlier: (1) The Divine Purpose of God governs everything as it did in the life of Abraham, Israel and as it is doing in us. (2) The Divine Wisdom of God is working with one objective in mind. God's Spirit is searching all things even the deep things of God. This doesn't make sense to the natural man. Read I Corinthians chapter 2. (3) God Cares for his children. ". . . You led your people like a flock." God is watching over us and He cares for us because He is the Good Shepherd. Receive these three revelations and walk above all trying circumstances.

I pray the Lord helps you understand why you were born in your country. God has placed you right where He wants you. He will bring glory to Himself as He did with Jesus through the resurrection of Lazarus; as He did with the Israelites who crossed the Red Sea; and as He did with Abraham ready to leave his country and all that he knew to follow Gods call.